After seeing the orange peel ideas, i found this one with lemon~ from "one good thing" ~

10 HOMEMADE CLEANERS MADE FROM CITRUS PEELS

Last week I wrote about making your own Citrus Enzyme Cleaner, which got me thinking about how the whole idea ofcleaning with citrus just makes so much sense to me (not to mention that I LOVE the smell, taste, and just aboutEVERYTHING else related to citrus!)

I mean why pay ridiculous amounts of money for harsh commercial cleansers when you can create your own INEXPENSIVE andEFFECTIVE versions using citrus peels? What makes them so effective? Citrus peels contain oil called D-limonene which is a powerful solvent for dirt and especially grease.

And as a bonus…citrus cleaners leave your home SMELLING fresh and clean!

1. Citrus Vinegar All-Purpose CleanserFill a glass jar with clean chopped citrus peels. Pour vinegar over the peels until they are completely submersed and screw the lid on the jar. Allow the concoction to sit, occasionally shaking the jar to mix the liquid. After four weeks, pour the concoction through a mesh strainer and into a spray bottle. Use the cleanser to clean countertops, stovetops, appliances, floors and glass.

2. Powdered Citrus CleanserCombine 1 cup baking soda, 2 tsp. cream of tartar, 1/8 cup borax and 1/4 cup grated citrus peel in a bowl. Mix the ingredients well and pour the mixture into a glass jar. Sprinkle the mixture onto dried spills and scum. Use a sponge or soft brush to scrub the mixture into the mess, breaking it up. Wipe clean with a wet cloth.

3. Carpet Freshening CleanserCombine 2 cups baking soda, 1 cup borax and 3 tsp. citrus zest in a bowl. Let the mixture sit until all moisture has evaporated. Mix it well and store in a glass jar. Sprinkle it onto dirty carpets and allow it to sit, absorbing odors and loosening dirt. Vacuum the carpets well after at least five minutes.

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4. Disinfecting Citrus CleanserChop up the peel of a large citrus fruit. Combine it with 4 cups water and bring it to a boil in a saucepan. Allow it to cool until it is warm. Stir in 6 tbsp. vinegar and 3 tsp. borax. Mix well and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Shake before use to mix the liquids. Spray hard surfaces with the cleaner and wipe clean.

6. Citrus Disposal DegreaserDrop the peels into the disposal with three or more ice cubes. The ice cubes cool the grease, solidifying it, and the acid in the peels cuts it away. Turn on the disposal until the peels, ice cubes and grease are gone. The citrus peels release a clean scent as they are broken down.

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7. Citrus Microwave DegreaserCombine 1 cup of water and 2 tbsp. of lemon juice in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the liquid for about 3 minutes, or until hot and steaming. Remove the bowl from the microwave. Dip a clean rag into the liquid and use it to wipe down the inside of the microwave until it is clean.

8. Citrus Scrub DegreaserCut through caked-on grease on stovetops or kitchen counters. Sprinkle salt heavily over the grease. Cut a lime in half and squeeze the juice over the salt. Use as many limes as necessary to cover the salt. Allow it to sit for about five minutes. Scrub the salt and lime juice into the grease with a sponge or rag to loosen it. Wipe it up with paper towels or a wet rag.

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9. Citrus Spray DegreaserThe acids found in the vinegar and lemon juice work together to quickly cut through grease. Mix together 1/2 cup lemon juice and 2 cups of white vinegar in a spray bottle. Keep it in the kitchen and quickly spray grease splatters with the solution. Wipe them up with paper towels.

10. Citrus Metal Polish

When it comes to copper, brass and chrome, nix harsh chemical polishes and instead put some elbow grease behind half a lemon. For extra oomph, before scrubbing, dip the fruit half in salt—it will help exfoliate the surface for added shine.

Wow! That’s a whole lotta citrus! Of course I personally can’t get enough. If you’re like me and simple LOVE LEMONS….you might want to check out myPinterest board“Lemon Joy” for all sorts of citrus inspiration!

Body & Soul: Citrus Scrub After clicking the website link below -look to the bottom on the page

5 Great Grilling Flavor Boosters

Homemade Citrus Scouring Scrub Recipe Any citrus peels should work. To make your own Citrus Scouring Scrub you will need the following: 3 tbsp dried, ground citrus peels 3 tbsp borax 5 tbsp baking soda Combine all ingredients in an old shaker container (such as an old parmesan container) and sprinkle wherever you needed. Use a wet sponge or cleaning rag to scrub over the area where you sprinkled the cleaner. Wipe up all of the cleaner.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Flavored Butters are so easy to make and we forget about doing it. They last a good time in the refrigerator and they can also be frozen. Once you get started you can use your imagination and create your own flavors. Just blogging about this makes me think of all the flavored butters I've made, and all the new ones and ideas and more~ When using flavored butter it can play a starring role to finish off that food that you are serving. After mixing, roll in parchment paper to form a log. You can wrap it in film and refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 2 months. When you are planning a special event, you can put the butter in any size molds to make a special presentation. Use small heart candy/chocolate molds, animals for a children's event, stars for the 4th of July, Make a basil butter and a cranberry butter for you Christmas table, a Pumpkin spice butter for Thanksgiving. Use one larger mold for the center of the table. There is so much that can be done and how to present it. Here are a few for you to make and I am sure they will spark some special tasty ideas for your own special recipes.

There are so many options to make when it comes to flavored butters. Use your imagination and take a chance and you will be surprised what you can create~

Strawberry Butter: Cook 1/2 cup strawberries and 2 tablespoons sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves and liquid evaporates. Cool. Blend with 8 tablespoons softened butter. This is great on a homemade Morning Glory Muffin or a lemon poppy seed muffin or any muffin of your choice. Toasted english muffin or a buttermilk biscuit right out of the oven~Vanilla Butter: Blend 8 tablespoons softened butter with 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar, the seeds from half a vanilla bean, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Great on all muffins, scones and sweet breads~Orange-Honey Butter: Blend 8 tablespoons softened butter with 1/2 cup honey, and 2 teaspoons orange zest. Great on almost any muffin, biscuit, scone, toast, you name it~Chipotle Lime Butter: 1 cup salted butter, 2 1/2 tsps. fresh lime juice, 2 Tblsp, Chipotles in adobo sauce. Puree in a food processor or blender until smooth. This is a "savory" butter and is great to make with garlic butter for a special garlic bread, put on a baked potato or top a nice grilled steak with.Light and Lemony Dill Butter: 1 cup of salted butter, 1 heaping Tblsp. fresh chopped dill, grated peel from 1/2 of a lemon, freshly ground pepper, about 4 turns. Mix until all ingredients are well blended. Put on fresh grilled salmon, scallops or any fish.